System and process using simplex and duplex communication protocols

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a method of and apparatus for initiating a duplex communication in response to a received simplex communication. In one embodiment of a method of converting a simplex communication to a duplex communication a simplex message is received; a duplex communication protocol is transmitted in response; and a duplex communication is initiated based on the response. In another embodiment of a method of converting a simplex communication to a duplex communication, a simplex message from a sender is received that includes the sender&#39;s simplex ID. A duplex communication protocol associated with the sender&#39;s simplex ID is sought, and a duplex communication based on the duplex communication protocol is initiated when the protocol is received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to telephonic and radio communications,and more particularly, to wireless communications using simplex andduplex protocols.

2. Background Description

There are three ways for data communications to flow between electricalor digital devices: simplex, half-duplex and full duplex. In simplexcommunications, information only flows in one direction, as from a radiostation transmitter to a home radio receiver. In true simplexcommunications, there is thus no return signal. In half-duplexcommunications, information flows in both directions, but only in onedirection at a time. Examples of such half-duplex communications includeCB, walkie-talkie, or marine radio communications where one party mustcomplete their transmission before the other party can reply. Infull-duplex communications, data is transmitted in both directionssimultaneously. A common example is a telephone conversation in whichboth parties are talking and listening simultaneously. Full-duplex issometimes used in modern computer and video networks to facilitatereal-time exchange of information.

Today, personal communicators (cellphones, two-way radios, handheldcomputers, etc.) abound, and short voice messages are often transmittedover half-duplex channels because pressing a push-to-talk (PTT) buttonto instantly connect to another person's communicator is faster thandialing the person's conventional duplex telephone number. However,current personal communications devices are not capable of seamlesslyswitching from simplex or half-duplex mode to full-duplex mode. Thus,various problems arise when a recipient of a simplex message (e.g.,either a true simplex communication or one-part of a two-way half-duplexcommunication) wishes to transition to full-duplex mode.

For example, if a conventional duplex communication protocol is known,the transition occurs after the protocol is speed-dialed or dialed byhand. Although effective, this method is time consuming. It alsorequires focus and attention, which may not be available if the user ispreoccupied, such as, for example, driving a vehicle or otherwiseengaged in another activity. The problem only worsens when the otherparty's telephone number is not known, in which case the call is eitherdelayed or not placed at all. Thus, a need exists for automatically andseamlessly converting a simplex (or half-duplex) communication into aduplex communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method of converting a simplex communication to aduplex communication is disclosed. The method is illustrativelydescribed as follows. A simplex message is received, and a duplexcommunication protocol is transmitted in response. Thereafter, a duplexcommunication is initiated based on the response.

In another embodiment of a method of converting a simplex communicationto a duplex communication, a simplex message from a sender is receivedthat includes the sender's simplex ID. A duplex communication protocolassociated with the sender's simplex ID is sought, and a duplexcommunication based on the duplex communication protocol is initiatedwhen the protocol is received.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a computer program product.The computer program product includes a computer usable medium havingcomputer-readable program code embodied in the medium. Additionally, thecomputer program product includes at least one component to receive asimplex message from a sender that includes the sender's simplex ID; atleast one component to seek the sender's duplex communication protocolby querying a database having stored therein a plurality of matchedpairs of simplex IDs and associated duplex communication protocols; atleast one component to compare the sender's simplex ID with theplurality of stored simplex IDs until a match occurs; and at least onecomponent to initiate a duplex communication based on the match.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a communicator forconverting a simplex communication into a duplex communication.Illustratively, the communicator includes a simplex transceiver and aduplex transceiver both coupled to a central processing unit (CPU). Alsoincluded in the communicator is a memory for storing computer-readableinstructions. When executed, the computer-readable instructions to causea processor to receive a simplex message; transmit a duplexcommunication protocol in response to the simplex message; and initiatea duplex communication based on the response.

In another embodiment of the invention, a recipient receives a simplexmessage from a sender, and the message includes the sender's simplex ID.In response, the recipient transmits a coded simplex message to thesender that includes the recipient's duplex communication protocol aswell as a set of computer readable instructions. When received by thesender's computer processor, the instructions cause a duplexcommunication to be initiated that is addressed to the recipient'sduplex communication protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating components and operation of anexemplary network in which embodiments of the invention operate;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a simplex communication converted to aduplex communication;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating opening a duplex communication inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of opening a duplexcommunication in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment opening a duplexcommunication in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an illustrative database that may beimplemented in embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method used by anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a method usedby another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to using personal communicator simplexaddresses (hereinafter, “simplex IDs”) to automatically convert asimplex communication into a duplex communication upon receipt andexecution of a user-initiated voice or tactile command. This allows forthe initiation of a duplex communication upon receipt of the simplexprotocol without interruption of communications initiated initiallyusing simplex protocols. For example, a duplex call may be automaticallyinitiated to the sender of a simplex message upon receipt of a duplexprotocol and an “initiate command”. Alternatively, the duplex call maybe initiated as soon as the user touches a portion of a touch screen, orpresses an alphanumeric or other key, incorporated in their personalcommunicator. The personal communicator may be a cell phone or personaldata assistant. Alternatively, the personal communicator may be anydigital or electrical communications device having simplex and duplexcapabilities.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating components and operation of anexemplary network 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Illustratively, the network 100 is a wireless network that includes atleast one transmission/receiving point 101, such as, for example, atransceiver antenna for communicating between personal communicators 130and 135. At least one computer server 105 and least one database 110accessible by the computer server 105 are in communication with thetransceiver antenna via a data connection 195. The server 105 anddatabase 110 are in data communication via the data connection 190.Simplex channels 115 and 120 and duplex channel 125 are used tocommunicate data between communicators 130 and 135. Additionally, thenetwork 100 may include one or more communication satellites 150 incommunication with the transmission/receiving point(s) 101.

The personal communicators (hereinafter “communicator” or“communicators”) 130 and 135 may include components, such as, but notlimited to, a speaker 155, a viewable display 160, an input device 165(such as an alphanumeric keypad, touch screen, or stylus track pad), amicrophone 170, an antenna 175, a push-to-talk (PTT) button 180 forsimplex communications, and a command interface 185 (e.g., a duplexconnection button or a touch-sensitive area).

Although not shown, it is understood that communicators 130 and 135 maybe, or include, computers. For example, each of communicators 130 and135 may have a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., computer processorchip) connected via a data bus to at least (i) a memory “M”, (ii) atransceiver, (iii) an output device (such as speaker 155 and display160) and (iv) one or more input devices (such as keypad 165, microphone170, a PTT button 180 for simplex communications, and a commandinterface 185 for initiating duplex communications). Additionally, theprocessor may be connected via a power bus to a power source (notshown). Illustratively, the power source may be an external power sourcesuch as an electrical outlet or an internal power source such as abattery. In one embodiment, the command interface 185 includes amicrophone 170 coupled to the CPU and configured to receive voice input.In such an embodiment, the command interface 185 may include computerreadable instructions stored in the communicator's memory “M” that, whenexecuted by the CPU, cause the received voice input to be recognized asa command to initiate a duplex communication.

The memory “M” stores data input by a user, another communicator, oranother network device. In one embodiment, the data includescomputer-readable commands that are executable by the CPU (hereinafter“processor”), which accesses, retrieves and processes data stored in thememory “M”. Illustratively, the memory “M” may be flash memory, randomaccess memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), embedded DRAM,disk drive, or other type of memory suitable for use in a computer. Thedata stored in memory may include one or more computer executablesoftware programs that permit components of each of the communicators130 and 135 to create, send, receive, read, store and process messagesover duplex channel 125 and/or simplex channels 115 and 120. The memory“M” may also include one or more databases, in which one or more tablesof information are stored. The table may illustratively include a listof matched pairs of simplex IDs and associated duplex communicationprotocols. An example of one such table is shown in FIG. 6.

The transceiver (not shown) of each communicator 130 and 135 outputssignals to, and receives signals from, transmission point 101 and/orsatellite 150 via the antenna 175. The transceiver is configured totransmit and receive coded or non-coded simplex messages over thesimplex channels 115 and 120, as well as transmit and receiveconventional or modified duplex messages over the duplex channel 125.

Speaker 155 outputs sounds, such as speech, music, background noise,etc. to the ear of a user of the communicator, whereas display 160outputs visual and graphical data to the user, such as, but not limitedto, text messages, digital photos, duplex telephone numbers, simplexIDs, date, time, names of personal contacts, calendar information, toname a few functions. Microphone 170 converts external sound waves intoelectrical signals that are routed first to the processor for processingand then to the transceiver for transmission or to the memory forstorage. Microphone 170 may be used to capture a voice command, which isrelayed, via the appropriate electrical and/or digital circuitry to theprocessor for execution. Illustratively, one such voice command may be,but is not limited to, the spoken phrase “Duplex”, or its equivalent.Such a command, when received and processed, causes components of thecommunicator to automatically locate, retrieve and dial the duplexcommunication protocol (in one embodiment, the duplex phone number) ofthe sender of a simplex message that was received prior to reception ofthe command, as discussed in more detail below. Alternatively, a similarcommand, which achieves the same result, may be initiated by pressing abutton 185 or otherwise inputting the command into computer-readableform.

Server 105 includes similar computer components and features as thosedescribed above with reference to communicators 130 and 135. Database110 may reside at a remote server or be stored in the memory of server105. Either way, the database 110 is linked to the processor of server105 via a connection, e.g., data bus 190. Like communications link 195,data bus 190 may be a wire, a cable, or a wireless transceiver device.If database 110 is stored on a remote server, the data bus 190 mayinclude the Internet path or network path that links server 105 with thedatabase 110.

Communications link 195 connects the server 105 with the transceiverpoint 101 so that simplex and duplex messages addressed to the networkcan be routed to the server 105 for processing. Database 110 may includeone or more tables, such as the table illustratively shown in FIG. 6.Server 105 may include a comparator embodied in either software orhardware that compares a simplex ID received from communicator 135 withthe list of simplex IDs stored in the database 110. If a match is found,server 105 either returns the matching duplex communication protocol tothe communicator 135 or automatically connects the communicator 135 tothe communicator 130 associated with the duplex communication protocolvia the duplex channel 125 in accordance with the invention as discussedin greater detail below.

Although not shown, it is understood that server 105 includes a memoryconnected to a processor via a data bus. The memory of server 105 storesdata inputted by server administrators and various network devices. Thedata stored in the server's memory may include one or more computerexecutable software programs that permit components of each communicator130 and 135 to create, send, receive, read, store and process messagesover duplex channel 125 and/or simplex channels 115 and 120. As furtherdescribed below, one such software program may modify the network 100 topermit placement of a modified duplex call (e.g., a duplex calladdressed to the simplex ID). The processor of server 105 may beconnected to the various output devices, input devices and power devices(such as visual displays, keyboards, cursor device, microphone, etc.)previously mentioned.

In use, a sender of communicator 130 transmits a simplex message to auser of communicator 135 over simplex channel 120. The simplex messageis addressed to an alphanumeric identifier uniquely associated withcommunicator 135 and transmitted over simplex channel 120. Thus,although broadcast to virtually every device within network 100, thesimplex message will be accepted and answered only by communicator 135.In some cases, however, the simplex message will be answered by thenetwork server 105, which monitors the flow of messages through thenetwork 100. For example, if communicator 135 is turned off or is out ofrange, the network server 105 may return a “not available” message inresponse to the simplex message sent by the communicator 130.

The simplex message is comprised, in one embodiment, of signal packets.Each packet includes a header and a body. Data contained in the headerindicates to communicator 135 what type of message is being received,e.g., a text message, a picture message, a voice message or a requestmessage. Additionally, either the header or the body may include thesimplex address of communicator 130 so that communicator 135 can respondwith a simplex message of its own via simplex channel 115. For example,data contained in the body of the message may be the substance of themessage itself, such as, for example, picture, text, or voice data. Thepackets may be encoded using conventional encoding and transmissionprotocols. After leaving communicator 130, the simplex message travelsto the nearest transceiver point 101, which relays the message tocommunicator 135 via the most direct path. Illustratively, such a pathmay include network server 105, other transceiver points, and satellite150.

Communicator 135 receives the simplex message. It also decodes, storesand indicates it to its user. To send a reply message over simplexchannel 115, the user audibly or tactilely issues a command to thecommunicator 135, such as, for example, depressing button 185. Thissignals the communicator's processor to create and transmit a simplexmessage in reply. The sender's simplex ID is retrieved from the originalmessage and inserted into the header of each packet, along with therecipient's simplex ID. The body of each packet may be empty (e.g., therequest for the sender's duplex communication protocol is insertedwithin the packet header) or may contain the request for the sender'sduplex communication protocol. In another embodiment, informationinserted within the header includes the recipient's duplex communicationprotocol, and information inserted within the body includesmachine-executable code that causes the sender's communicator toautomatically dial the duplex communication protocol contained in theheader.

The invention is now described more fully with reference to fourillustrative scenarios. Each scenario begins with a first cell phoneuser, “Alice,” sending a simplex message to a second cell phone user,“Bob.” The scenario ends with Bob placing a duplex call to Alice. In thescenarios, Alice's communicator is represented by block 130, Bob'scommunicator by block 135, and the network, itself, by block 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a diagram that illustrates amethod used in an embodiment of the invention to convert a simplexcommunication into a duplex communication with a single command. In thisembodiment, the communicators of both Alice and Bob are modified, butthe network 100 remains of the conventional type. Specifically, thecommunicators 130 and 135 are modified, via hardware and/or software, totransmit, receive, process and store data contained in specially codedsimplex messages that are transported by the conventional communicationsnetwork 100. Using the specially coded simplex messages, Bob'scommunicator 135 can ask Alice's communicator 130 for its duplexcommunication protocol (e.g., duplex phone number), and Alice'scommunicator 130 can respond with a specially coded simplex message ofits own that contains the requested duplex communication protocol. Asthe diagram illustrates, the process flows as follows.

At step 205, Alice's communicator 130 creates and sends an ordinarysimplex message to the network 100. The simplex message is addressed toBob's communicator 135. It can take the form of a text, photo or voicemessage. Thereafter, the network 100 relays the message to Bob'scommunicator 135.

At step 210, Bob's communicator 135 receives a tactile or voice commandfrom Bob to initiate a duplex communication with Alice. As noted above,Bob may simply say “duplex” or other phrase, or simply press button 185.Either way, Bob's communicator 135 creates a new specially coded simplexmessage, which will be transparently passed by the network 100 andinterpreted by Alice's communicator 130 as a request for Alice'sordinary duplex communication protocol. In some embodiments, the duplexcommunication protocol is an ordinary duplex telephone number; however,the invention is not so limited to just a duplex number. In otherembodiments, the duplex communication protocol is any identifierassociated with a particular communications device that allows a duplexcommunication to be established between the particular communicationdevices. The term specially-coded simplex message means that the simplexmessage includes data, in either the message header or body, thatdistinguishes the message from ordinary text, picture or voice messages.

At step 215, Alice's communicator 130 creates another specially codedsimplex message, which will be passed transparently by the network andinterpreted by Bob's communicator 135 as a response containing Alice'snormal duplex communication protocol. Thereafter, the processor in Bob'scommunicator 135 processes the message to retrieve Alice's normal duplexcommunication protocol and automatically initiate a duplex conversationwith Alice's communicator 130 without further input from Bob (step 220).This causes Alice's communicator 130 to indicate reception of anincoming duplex call from Bob, which Alice can accept.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modified duplex call thatautomatically locates the other party's duplex telephone number andopens a duplex communication. In this embodiment, only Bob'scommunicator 135 and the network 100 are modified, whereas Alice'scommunicator 130 is a conventional type of communicator without anymodification. At step 305, Alice's communicator 130 sends a normalsimplex message via the network 100 to Bob's communicator 135. Themessage may take the form of a text, picture or audio message. At step310, Bob's communicator 135 receives a tactile or voice command from Bobto initiate a duplex communication with Alice. In response, Bob'scommunicator 135 creates and transmits a specially coded simplex messageaddressed to the network 100. The message includes Alice's (thesender's) simplex ID. Additionally, the specially coded simplex messageasks the network 100 to return Alice's duplex communication protocol.The network 100 includes a server-accessible database 110 containing amatched pairs of simplex IDs and duplex communication protocols, asdiscussed below. Upon receipt of the specially coded simplex message,the network server 105 accesses the relevant database 110 and compares,using a hardware or software implemented comparator, Alice's simplex IDwith those listed in the database until a match occurs.

At step 315, the network matches Alice's simplex ID with one listed inthe database and retrieves her corresponding duplex communicationprotocol. Thereafter, the network server 105 creates and transmitsanother specially coded simplex message back to Bob's communicator 135.The message contains Alice's duplex communication protocol, whichenables Bob's communicator 135 to automatically connect to Alice'scommunicator 130.

At step 320, the processor in Bob's communicator 135 processes thenetwork's message to retrieve Alice's normal duplex communicationprotocol and automatically initiates a duplex conversation with Alice'scommunicator 130 without further input from Bob. This causes Alice'scommunicator 130 to indicate reception of an incoming duplex call fromBob, which Alice can accept merely by pressing a button or speaking.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modified duplex message thatautomatically locates the other party's duplex telephone number andopens a duplex communication. In accordance with the invention, onlyBob's communicator 135 and the network 100 are modified in accordancewith the invention. At step 405, Alice transmits a normal simplexmessage to Bob. The message can take the form of a text, picture orvideo message. At step 410, Bob's communicator receives a tactile orvoice command from Bob to establish a duplex communication with Alice.Accordingly, the communicator 135 places a new, modified duplex call,e.g., an ordinary duplex call addressed to the network that containsAlice's simplex ID.

At step 415, the new modified duplex call is intercepted by the network100, which detects the use of Alice's simplex ID. The network server 105then compares Alice's simplex ID to matched pairs of simplex IDs andduplex communication protocols that were previously stored in aserver-accessible database 110. When a match is found, the networkserver 105 retrieves Alice's duplex communication protocol and uses itto seamlessly complete Bob's duplex communication. If a match is notlocated, or if Alice's communicator is unavailable, the network server105 transmits a message indicating a “no match” or “unfound” signal backto Bob's communicator 135. In this embodiment, Alice's duplexcommunication protocol is not returned to Bob's communicator 135.Instead, the network server 105 completes the call for Bob.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating yet another modified duplex call thatautomatically locates the other party's duplex telephone number andopens a duplex communication. In this embodiment, only the network 100is modified in accordance with the invention. At step 505, Alice'scommunicator 130 sends an ordinary simplex message to Bob's communicator135 via the network 100. The message may be a text, picture or audiomessage. At step 510, Bob places a modified duplex call. e.g., anordinary duplex call that substitutes Alice's simplex ID for her duplexcommunication protocol.

Ordinarily, such a call would not work; however, at step 515, themodified network server 105 detects the use of Alice's simplex ID andcompares it against a plurality of matched pairs of simplex IDs andcorresponding duplex communication protocols that were previously storedin a server-accessible database 110. When a match is found, the server105 retrieves the requested duplex communication protocol and seamlesslyconnects Bob's communicator 135 to Alice's communicator 130. In thisembodiment, Alice's duplex communication protocol does not have to bereturned to Bob's communicator 135.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an illustrative database 600 (similarto database 110) that may be implemented in embodiments of theinvention. In one embodiment, the database 600 resides on atelecommunications network server. In another embodiment, the database600 resides on an individual communicator such as, but not limited to, apersonal digital assistant, a cell phone or other digital communicationsdevice. The types of database architecture and software that may be usedwill be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, database 600 is implemented in a computer readablesoftware and may include a plurality of data fields arranged to form atable having at least two columns 601 and 605, respectively. A headerrow that includes adjacent data fields 610 and 615 may be provided.Illustratively, data field 610 contains text data indicating that itrepresents a title such as, but not limited to, “Simplex IDs.”Similarly, data field 615 contains text data indicating that itrepresents a title such as, but not limited to, “Duplex Phone Numbers”or “Duplex Communication Protocols”.

Individual simplex identifiers are stored in corresponding individualdata fields 620 . . . 625 . . . 630 in the simplex column 601 under thetitle data field 610. Similarly, duplex communication protocols arestored in corresponding individual data fields 635 . . . 640 . . . 645in the duplex column 605 under the title data field 615. In this manner,the duplex communication protocol 635 is uniquely identified withsimplex ID 650, and vice versa. When queried by a server that provides aparticular simplex ID (not shown) that identically matches a storedsimplex ID, the database 600 retrieves and/or returns the correspondingduplex communication protocol associated with the stored simplex ID.

An exception exists where data contained in a duplex data field 640indicates that the owner of the duplex communication protocol wishes itto remain private. Another exception exists where the duplexcommunication protocol is not stored in the database 600. In eithercase, an error message may be returned to a user's web browser or otheruser interface.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method used invarious embodiments of the invention. At block 701, a simplexcommunication is received. Following reception of the simplexcommunication, a duplex communication is requested, at block 705. Atblock 710, the sender's duplex communication protocol is then located.And at block 715, a duplex communication is automatically initiatedusing the sender's located duplex communication protocol.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates another embodiment of a methodused to convert a simplex communication into a duplex communication. Atblock 801, a simplex message that contains its sender's simplex ID isreceived by a communicator, such as, but not limited to, a cell-phoneconfigured to receive and transmit both simplex and duplex messages. Atblock 805, software elements of the communicator receive a user-promptedcommand to initiate a duplex communication with the sender of thesimplex message.

At block 810 and decision block 815, a decision is made whether torequest the sender's duplex communication protocol either from thesender or from a computer-readable database. If the duplex communicationprotocol is requested from the sender, the process progresses to block820; otherwise, to block 825. In one embodiment, the personalcommunicator which received the sender's simplex message requests thesender's duplex communication protocol by transmitting a specially codedmessage to the sender's communicator. In another embodiment, thepersonal communicator which received the sender's simplex messagerequests the sender's duplex communication protocol by transmitting acoded message to the telecommunications network, which then queries thesender's communicator.

At block 820, a message is received from the sender and its contentsanalyzed at block 830, if the message contains the sender's duplexcommunication protocol, the process can then proceed to block 835. Ifnot, the method ends at block 840 by indicating that no match was found.In one embodiment, the message is a specially coded simplex messagewhich contains the sender's duplex communication protocol in its header.

At block 835, the duplex communication protocol is entered into a dialer(either by the recipient's personal communicator or by thetelecommunications network server), which may be implemented in eithersoftware or hardware, or a combination of both. Once the duplexcommunication protocol is entered, the dialer initiates a duplexcommunication with the sender of the original simplex message. Where thenetwork server dials the sender's duplex communication protocol, twoconnections may be established: (i) a connection with the communicatorthat received the original simplex message from the sender, and (ii) aconnection with the sender's communicator. Once both are established,the network “hands off” by seamlessly joining the two connectionstogether.

At decision block 845, it is determined whether the sender's duplexcommunication protocol is stored in the communicator's residentdatabase. If not, the process proceeds to block 850. Otherwise, it endsat block 855. At block 850, the duplex communication protocol receivedfrom the sender is associated with the sender's simplex ID and stored inthe resident database for later retrieval. Thereafter, the process endsat block 855.

Referring again to decision block 815, if the communications protocol isnot to be requested from the sender, the method proceeds to block 825.At block 825, a database that has duplex communication protocols andmatching simplex IDs stored therein is accessed. In one embodiment, theaccess may be in the form of a computer-readable request transmittedfrom a personal communicator to a network server. In another embodiment,the access may be in the form of a computer-readable request routedinternally within the circuitry of the personal communicator. Eitherway, at block 860, a comparator compares the sender's known simplex ID,which was provided in the sender's previously transmitted simplexmessage, with the plurality of simplex IDs stored within the database.

At decision block 865, it is determined whether a match is found. Amatch is any simplex ID stored in the database that exactly matches thesender's simplex ID. If a match is found, the method proceeds to block870. Otherwise, an error message is displayed to the user, and themethod ends at block 875.

At block 870, the duplex communication protocol that is uniquelyassociated with the sender's matched simplex ID is requested from thedatabase. At decision block 875, it is determined whether the requestedduplex communication protocol is available or not. For example, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 6, the sender's duplex communicationprotocol may be unavailable either because it is marked private (e.g.,unlisted) or has is not stored in the database. If the duplexcommunication protocol is available, the process proceeds to blocks 835,845, 850 and 855 as described above. Otherwise, an error message isindicated and the method ends at block 855.

Additionally, with reference again to FIG. 1, another embodiment of amethod for converting a simplex communication to a duplex communicationis described as follows. A personal communicator 135 receives a simplexmessage from a sender's communicator 130. The message includes thesender's simplex ID. Thereafter, a voice or touch command is input intothe personal communicator 135. The command requests initiation of aduplex communication with the sender of the simplex message. Inresponse, the processor (not shown) of communicator 135 retrievescomputer executable program instructions from a memory “M” associatedtherewith. The instructions, when executed cause the processor totransmit a coded simplex message to the sender that contains personalcommunicator 135's duplex communication protocol. Also transmitted inthe message is a machine-executable code that, when executed by thesender's processor, causes it to initiate a duplex communication withthe personal communicator 135. In other words, the sender's processorautomatically loads and dials the duplex communication protocol that wascontained in the recipient's reply message.

The invention has been described with reference to several exemplaryembodiments. However, modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A method of converting a simplex communication to a duplexcommunication, the method comprising: receiving a simplex message;transmitting a duplex communication protocol in response to the simplexmessage; and initiating a duplex communication based on the response. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the simplex message is received from arecipient of a prior simplex message sent by a sender and the duplexcommunication protocol is the sender's duplex communication protocol. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the simplex message is received from asender and the duplex communication protocol belongs to a recipient ofthe sender's simplex message.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereintransmitting a duplex communication protocol in response to the simplexmessage further comprises: inserting the duplex communication protocolinto a header of a packet; and inserting machine-executable instructionsinto a body of the packet that when executed by a processor associatedwith the sender cause the processor to automatically dial the duplexcommunication protocol.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the simplexmessage is received from a sender and the simplex message contains asimplex ID of the sender.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:accessing a database having stored therein at least a plurality ofmatched pairs of simplex IDs and associated duplex communicationprotocols; comparing the simplex ID of the sender to the plurality ofsimplex IDs until a match occurs; and retrieving the duplexcommunication protocol associated with the matched simplex ID.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the step of transmitting a duplexcommunication protocol in response to the simplex message is performedby a network server.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the database isremote from a memory of a communicator used by a recipient of thesender's simplex message.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the databaseis stored in a memory of a communicator used by a recipient of thesender's simplex message.
 10. A method of converting a simplexcommunication to a duplex communication, the method comprising:receiving a simplex message from a sender that includes a simplex ID;seeking a duplex communication protocol associated with the simplex ID;and initiating a duplex communication based on the duplex communicationprotocol associated with the simplex ID.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein seeking a duplex communication protocol associated with thesimplex ID further comprises: accessing a database having stored thereina plurality of matched pairs of simplex IDs and associated duplexcommunication protocols; comparing the simplex ID of the sender to theplurality of stored simplex IDs until a match occurs; and retrieving theduplex communication protocol associated with the matched simplex ID.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the database is remote from a memoryof a communicator used by a recipient of the sender's simplex message.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of seeking a duplexcommunication protocol associated with the simplex ID of the sender andthe step of initiating a duplex communication based on the duplexcommunication protocol are each performed by a network server.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein seeking a duplex communication protocolassociated with the simplex ID of the sender is performed by acommunicator used by a recipient of the sender's simplex message. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein initiating a duplex communication basedon the duplex communication protocol is performed by a communicator usedby a recipient of the sender's simplex message.
 16. The method of claim11, wherein the database is stored within a memory of a communicator.17. The method of claim 10, wherein seeking a duplex communicationprotocol associated with the sender's simplex ID further comprisestransmitting a duplex communication addressed to the sender's simplexID.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein seeking a duplex communicationprotocol associated with the simplex ID of the sender further comprises:accessing a database having stored therein a plurality of matched pairsof simplex IDs and associated duplex communication protocols; comparingthe simplex ID of the sender to the plurality of stored simplex IDsuntil a match occurs; retrieving the duplex communication protocolassociated with the matched simplex ID.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the step of initiating a duplex communication based on theduplex communication protocol is performed by a network server.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the step of initiating a duplexcommunication based on the duplex communication protocol is performed bya communicator used by a recipient of the simplex message.
 21. Acomputer program product comprising a computer usable medium havingcomputer-readable program code embodied in the medium, the computerprogram product includes at least one component to: receive a simplexmessage from a sender that includes the sender's simplex ID; seek aduplex communication protocol of the sender by querying a databasehaving stored therein a plurality of matched pairs of simplex IDs andassociated duplex communication protocols; compare the simplex ID of thesender with the plurality of stored simplex IDs until a match occurs;and initiate a duplex communication based on the match.
 22. Acommunicator for converting a simplex communication into a duplexcommunication, the communicator comprising: a simplex transceiver and aduplex transceiver both coupled to a central processing unit (CPU); amemory for storing computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions to cause a processor to: receive a simplex message;transmit a duplex communication protocol in response to the simplexmessage; and initiate a duplex communication based on the response. 23.The comparator of claim 22, further comprising a comparator to compare asimplex ID received in the simplex message with contents of a databasehaving stored therein a plurality of matched pairs of simplex IDs andassociated duplex communication protocols.
 24. The comparator of claim22, wherein the communicator is one of a cell phone, a handheld personalcomputer, or a personal digital assistant.
 25. The communicator of claim22, further comprising a coding module to uniquely code a simplexmessage transmitted from the communicator as a request for the duplexcommunication protocol, wherein the duplex communication protocol isuniquely associated with another communicator.
 26. The communicator ofclaim 22, further comprising a command interface to receive a commandfrom a user of the communicator to initiate a duplex communication witha sender of the simplex message.